As the fourth generation of a successful family business, Madeline Tomseth grew up with the company woven into everyday life. Both of her parents worked in the business, and the executive team around them felt less like colleagues than extended family. Her upbringing was an immersive education in leadership—gaining firsthand experience in the service industry, learning to analyze P&Ls, and absorbing a deep sense of responsibility for the thousands of workers she expected to one day serve.
For years, she stood just behind the board seat that seemed to be waiting for her. But like so many family enterprises, hers eventually faced the transition that tests them all—and after careful deliberation, the family made what was both the best and the hardest decision: to sell.
Because her family had reinvested much of their wealth in the business, the sale marked more than a professional turning point—it was deeply personal, launching Madeline into the world of unexpected inheritance. For someone whose life had been oriented around responsibility, this new financial freedom was far from liberating. The experience was disorienting and isolating—and talking about it seemed strictly taboo.
Following this shift, Madeline established a donor-advised fund, Niveau Philanthropy, as a means to explore the field of social impact. Yet as she learned to navigate this new role, she began to question the power dynamics embedded in the traditional giving structure. In seeking a better way to collaborate with the causes she supported, Madeline began to broaden her vision for Niveau Philanthropy, earning coaching credentials from the Hudson Institute that would empower her to advise other newcomers to the space.
Today, as a coach, speaker and strategic impact partner, Madeline addresses the uncomfortable, yet profound questions around inheritance and influence. Speaking to a new generation of wealth-holders, her framework cultivates greater transparency and trust between donors and non-profit teams, transforming their shared interests into meaningful action.
When I first became a donor, I was eager to enter into meaningful relationships with the organizations I chose to support. Rather than being treated with formality or deference, I hoped to have my assumptions challenged and to deepen my knowledge of the issues at play. Yet the inherent power dynamics of giving prevented these honest conversations, prompting me to envision a more balanced, cooperative framework for the philanthropy space.
The most critical shift that I’ve identified is moving from a mindset of giving to that of investing. A transactional approach inherently creates distance, while the desire to build partnership changes the way that donors evaluate and approach philanthropic opportunities. This perspective also naturally opens the door to more active, community-driven investment models.
In turn, I’ve participated in a range of giving circles and non-profit ventures where likeminded donors rally around a cause. This collaborative approach to investment not only fosters community—it ties us to the groups who benefit from our work, deepening our understanding of the causes we champion.
“Madeline’s joy and dedication to this work is delightful and contagious! She leads our meetings with kindness, laughter and an insightful curiosity.”
C.H.
Freelance Project Manager